Berry tray



Aug. 25, 1959 0, L VlNEs 2,901,156

BERRY TRAY,Y

Filed oc. 21, 195e 4 sheets-sheet 1 l l@ l I 5 l n lh 1 \1\ n l 2B n Ira; I MMM.

BKM

Allg 25, 1959 l o. vlNx-:s 2,901,156

Y BERRY TRAY Filed oct. 21, 195e 4 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTR. l V//vfs ug. 25, 1959 O, L VlNEs I 2,901,156

BERRY TRAY Filed Oct. 21, 1958 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. U50/ff l. l//A/fs Aug. 25, y1959 o. L. vlNEs BERRY TRAY Filed 001;. 21, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 05cm L V/A/Es BERRY TRAY Oscar L. Vines, Hudson Heights, NJ., assignor to Continental Paper Company, Bergen, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Application October 21, 1958, Serial No. 768,719

Claims. (Cl. 229-16) so easily and spoils so quickly after being bruised, that special considerations must be given to the construction of boxes in which such produce is packed for shipment and sale, such that sharp edges and abrupt internal angles are eliminated or minimized. Berry boxes heretofore have been in the form o-f inverted, truncated pyramids, with the result that the junction of the several side walls and the bottom have formed sharp angles and have presented sharp edges which cause bruising of the berries packed therein. The shape of the conventional berry box is dictated by the fact that it must be nested within other boxes for shipment to the point of use. The box of this invention avoids the shape limitation of prior art by providing a flat, folded blank which can be shipped in knocked-down form, and which can be erected by simple manual manipulation at the point of use.

It is, therefore, the primary object otf this invention to provide a box having a generally curved bottom wall which extends from the top of a pair of oppositely disposed side walls, in combination with a pair of inwardly slanting side walls whereby the angular junctions between side and bottom walls are minimized.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a berry box having Ventilating apertures which will allow a maximum amount of air to circulate therethrough when a plurality of such boxes are packed for storage and/ or shipment.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a box of the class described which is so interloc-ked and interbraced as to provide a box of great strength when the same is erected, and in which the inter-engagement of the parts assures that the gentle curvature of the bottom wall thereof will be maintained.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification in light of the drawings forming a part hereof, in which drawings like reference numerals indicate like parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates the box blank in extended form;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the blank of Fig. 1 connected at its free ends and folded into storing and shipping position;

Fig. 3 shows the folded blank of Fig. 2 in the open position which constitutes the first step of the blank erecting operation;

Fig. 4 shows the blank of Fig. 3 at a further stage of the blank erecting operation;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the box in its erected condition;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

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Fig. 7 is a sectional View on line 7 7 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary View of the erected tray on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Reference to Fig. l will show that the box is formed of a generally rectangular blank 10, having a score line 12 extending longitudinally throughout the length of the blank. A plurality of parallel score lines 14, 16, 18 and 20 are formed perpendicular to the longitudinal score line 12 and extend from the latter to the bottom edge of the blank. In the illustrated embodiment, the perpendicular score lines 14, 16, 18 and 20 are equally spaced from each other and define between pairs thereof outer side walls 22, 24, 26 and 28 of a substantially square box. If the box is to be other than square, the dimensions of the respective side Walls will be varied accordingly.

A pair of inner side wall flaps 30 and 32 are formed in the blank as an extension of the outer side walls 24 and 28, respectively. A slot 34 is formed in the free end of the inner side wall flap 30 and a similar slot 36 is formed in the free end of the inner side wall flap 32. The inner wall of each of the slots 34 and 36 is formed by the free end 38 of a yielding tongue 40, as may be seen in respect to the slot 34. The yielding tongue 40 is defined by its free edge 38, a pair of outwardly diverging cuts 42 and 44 and a pair of parallel inwardly extending cuts 46 and 48. lt is evident, therefore, that the yielding tongue 40 is slightly wider than the slot 34. This structure provides for the easy entrance of pairs of locking shoulders which are adapted to engage the slots 34 and 36, as to be pointed out hereinafter.

A first bottom panel 56 is formed as an extension of the outer side wall 22 and a second bottom panel 52 is formed as an extension of the outer side Wall 26. The first bottom panel 50 has a locking slot 54 formed at its free end which is adapted to receive and engage a locking tongue 56 formed at the free end of the second bottom panel 52. The locking tongue 56 is defined in part by a pair of keeper slots 58 `and 60 which are adapted to engage 'with short inturned keeper extensions 62 and 464, respectively, formed at the opposite ends of the locking slot 54 in the first bottom panel 50. Each of the bottom panels 50 and 52 has a latch shoulder extending laterally from each edge thereof and near the free end of the panels. Thus, by reference to the first bottom panel 50, it will be seen that latch shoulders `66 and 68 extend from the lateral edges and that these shoulders are defined in part by inwardly extending notches 70 and 72. The formation of the latch shoulders on the second bottom panel 52 is the same as that described in respect to the latch shoulders of the first bottom panel 50. Accordingly, the second bottom panel 52 has formed therein a pair of latch shoulders `67 and 69.

It should be noted that both the first bottom panel 50 and the second bottom panel 52 are substantially the same shape and that each is formed on outwardly converging lines such that they are wider at the base than at the free end. This results in a favorable disposition of the inner side wall flaps 3@ and 32 when the box is erected, as to be explained hereinafter.

Extending from the longitudinal score lines y12, and outwardly a short distance from the base, the bottom panelsl 50 and 52 are defined by lateral edges which are substantially parallel, thereby providing inner side wall fiap abutments 74, 76, 78 and Sib. These inner side wall 'flap abutments are adapted to underlie corresponding edges of the inner side wall flaps when the tray is erected. Each of the outer side walls 22, 24, 26 and 28 is notched to form Ventilating apertures. The side wall 22 has a notch 82, while notches 84, 86 and 88 are formed similarly and respectively in outer side walls 24, 26 and 2S.

Supplementing the Ventilating notches 82, etc., are

Patented Aug. 25, 1959 y vent passages 9G which are formed in the bottom panels Si) and 52. The vent passages are formed by semi-cir cular cuts 92 which terminate in short inwardly projecting radial cuts V94 which leave between their ends a short neck portion 96 which constitutes a hinge for the partially severed chip 98. f

Extending `from the outerl side wall 28 is a short glue flap 100 adapted to receive a coating of suitable adhesive by means of which the glue flap may -be attached to the inner end face of the outer side wall 22 when the blank is appropriately folded into a flat position.

After the blank of Fig. 1 is formed, it is folded, as illustrated in Fig. 2. This fold is achieved by rotating the sections along the score lines 14 and 18, such that the glue ap 108 will overlap at the inner face of the free edge of the outer side wall 22. When so folded, the outer side wall 24 will overlie the outer side wall 22. The outer side wall 26 will overlie the outer side wall 28. The inner side wall flap 30 will overlie the first bottom panel 50 and the second bottom'panel 52 will overlie the inner side wall flap 32. It is in this form that the tray is shipped from its point of fabrication to its point of use, it being intended that the same be erected at the point of use.

In `order to erect the tray of Fig. 2, it is subjected to three principal erecting operations as depicted successively in Figs. 3 through 5. The blankrof Fig. 2 is first opened such that the outer side walls thereof assume a substantially square relationship to each other. The inner side wall flaps 30 and 32 are then first rotated inwardly along the score line 12 so that they lie substantially in contact with the inner face of the respective outer side walls of which they constitute an extension. Next, the locking tongue 56 of the second bottom panel 52 is inserted through the locking slot 54 of the iirst bottom panel S0, as shown in Fig. 4. Also, as shown in Fig. '4, the inner side wall flaps 30 and 32, when turned inwardly, present their free outer edges at the bottom edge of their respective outer side walls or at least not substantially thereabove. In any event, the Slots 34 and 36 formed in the inner side wall ilaps 30 and 32, respectively, will register respectively with the Ventilating notches 84 and 88.

After the locking tongue 56 has been engaged with the locking slot 54, the bottom panels 50 and 52 are pressed inwardly such that these panels form a curved bottom lfor the tray, as shown in Fig. 5. When the tongue and slot of the bottom panels 50 and 52 are properly engaged w itheach other, the keeper slots 58 and 60 of the second bottom panel 52 will engage respectively the keeper slot extensions 62 and 64 of the first bottom panel 50, thereby forming a secure connection at the free ends of the bottom panels. It will be noted, particularly by reference to the single pair of latch shoulders, shown in Fig. 5, that the latch shoulders at the lateral edges of the bottom panels will overlie each other when the locking tongue and locking slot of the bottom panels are interengaged. Thus, in Fig. 5, it can be seen that the latch shoulders 67 and 63 are in an overlapped position.

After tlie inner side flaps 30 and 32 have been turned in and the bottom panels Strand 52 have been interengaged, the bottom panels Sil and 52 are pressed inwardly `such that the curved bottom wall is formed between the outer side walls 22 and 26, as stated. As the bottom panels are depressed, the laterally extending latch shoulders thereof will force outwardly the yielding tongues 40 in the inner side wall iiaps 30 and 32, thereby facilitating entry of the latch shoulders into their respective slots 34 and 36. The inter-engaged latch shoulders and slots provide a positive interconnection between the bottom panels and the inner side wall flaps which serves to maintain the bottom panels in their intended curved position.

As the bottom panels are depressed into the frame formed by the side walls, the inner side wall flap abutments 74, 76, 78 and 80 Will seat themselves under the upper edge of their respective inner side wall aps. This relationship can be seen in Fig. 5, wherein the inner side wall ap abutment 74 underlies the edge of the inner side wall ap 32 at a point just below the junction of the inner side wall iiap 32 with its related outer side wall 28. The inner side wall ap abutments impart subv stantial rigidity to the erected tray and assist in maintaining the regular curvature of the bottom panels by providing anchors for the same at their upper ends.

It has been stated that the bottom panels 50 and 52 are formed on outwardly converging lines, such that they are somewhat wider at the score line 12 than they are at their free ends. Accordingly, the inner side wall aps 30 and 32 will be disposed at an inwardly extending inclination when they are in contact with the lateral edges of the bottom panels. It can be seen, therefore, that the entire inner content supporting surface of the tray is substantially smooth and completely devoid of sharp edges and corners. This is an important consideration in the construction of boxes and trays which are designed particularly for the transportation, display and sale of delicate produce, such as berries, which bruise easily and deteriorate quickly when they are bruised.

As the bottom panels 50 and 52 are flexed into their linal curved position, the vents will open, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. It will be noted that the neck 96 by which the chips 98 remain secured to the body of the panels is disposed at the bottom of the vent apertures. This further minimizes possible contact of tray contents with sharp internal edges. When the Vents 90 are opened, as shown in Fig. 5, they are conditioned to cooperate fully with the Ventilating apertures formed by the notches 82-88 in the outer side walls.

While the fundamentally novel features of the invention have been illustrated and described in connection with a speclic embodiment of the invention, it is believed that this embodiment will enable others skilled in the art to apply the principles of the invention in forms departing from the exemplary embodiment herein, and such departures are contemplated by the claims.

I claim:

l. A vtray comprising a single blank of material having a score line extending longitudinally throughout the length of the blank, a plurality of parallel score lines disposed perpendicular to said longitudinal score line and extending therefrom to one edge of said blank thereby defining the outer side walls of said tray, a pair of inner side wall flaps formed in said blank as an extension of a pair of said outer side walls at the other side of said longitudinal score line, a slot in the free end of each of said inner side walls, a first and a second bottom panel formed in said blank as an extension of a different pair of said outer side Walls at said other side of said longitudinal score line, a locking tongue at the free end of said first bottom panel and a locking slot at the free end of said second bottom panel adapted to receive said locking tongue, and a latch shoulder extending laterally from each edge of said panels near the free end thereof adapted to engage in the slots in said inner'side wall iaps when said blank is folded on said perpendicular score lines and said inner side wall aps and said bottom wall panels are folded inwardly about said longitudinal score line.

2. A tray comprising a single blank of material having a score line extending longitudinally throughout the length of the blank, a plurality of parallel score lines disposed perpendicular to said longitudinal score line and extending therefrom to one edge of said blank thereby defining the outer side walls of said tray, a pair of inner side wall aps formed in said blank as an extension of a pair of said outer side walls at the other side of said longitudinal score line, a slot in the free end of each of said inner side walls, a iirst and a second bottom panel formed in said blank as an extension of a diierent pair of said outer side walls at said other side of said longitudinal score line, a locking tongue at the free end of said :first bottom panel and a locking slot at the free end of said second bottom panel adapted to receive said locking tongue, a latch shoulder extending laterally from each edge of said panels near the free end thereof, and an inner side wall ilap abutment extending laterally from each edge of said panels at the hinged end thereof, said latch shoulders being adapted to engage in the slots in said inner side wall flaps and said inner side wall iiap abutments being adapted to abut the inner edges of said inner side wall aps when said blank is folded on said perpendicular score lines and said inner side wall flaps and said bottom wall panels are folded inwardly about said longitudinal score line.

3. A tray comprising a single blank of material having a score line extending longitudinally throughout the length of the blank, a plurality of parallel score lines disposed perpendicular to said longitudinal score line and extending therefrom to one edge of said blank thereby defining the outer side walls of said tray, a pair of inner side wall flaps formed in said blank as an extension of a pair of said outer side walls at the other side of said longitudinal score line, a slot in the free end of each of said inner side Walls, a iirst and a second bottom panel formed on outwardly converging lines in said blank as an extension of a different pair of said outer side walls at said other side of said longitudinal score line, a locking tongue at the free end of said iirst bottom panel and a locking slot at the free end of said second bottom panel adapted to receive said locking tongue, and a latch shoulder extending laterally from each edge of said panels near the free end thereof adapted to engage in the slots in said inner side wall flaps When said blank is folded on said perpendicular score lines and said inner side wall flaps and said bottom wall panels are folded inwardly about said longitudinal score line.

4. A tray comprising a single blank of material having a score line extending longitudinally throughout the length of the blank, a plurality of parallel score lines disposed perpendicular to said longitudinal score line and extending therefrom to one edge of said blank thereby deiining the outer side walls of said tray, a pair of inner side wall flaps formed in said blank as an extension of a pair of said outer side walls at the other side of said longitudinal score line, a slot in the free end of each of said inner side walls, a rst and a second bottom panel formed in said blank as an extension of a different pair of said outer side walls at said other side of said longitudinal score line, a locking tongue at the free end of said rst bottom panel and a locking slot at the free end of said second bottom panel adapted to receive said locking tongue, a latch shoulder extending laterally from each edge of said panels near the free end thereof adapted to engage in the slots in said inner side wall flaps when said blank is folded on said perpendicular score lines and said inner side wall flaps and said bottom wall panels are folded inwardly about said longitudinal score line, and a notch formed in each of said outer side walls at said one edge of said blank.

5. A tray comprising a single blank of material having a score line extending longitudinally throughout the length of the blank, a plurality of parallel score lines disposed perpendicular to said longitudinal score line and extending therefrom to one edge of said blank thereby defining the outer side walls of said tray, a pair of inner side Wall aps formed in said blank as an extension of a pair of said outer side walls at the other side of said longitudinal score line, a slot in the free end of each of said inner side walls, a rst and a second bottom panel formed in said blank as an extension of a different pair of said outer side walls at said other side of said longitudinal score line, a locking tongue at the free end of said iirst bottom panel and a locking slot at the lfree end of said second bottom panel adapted to receive said locking tongue, a latch shoulder extending laterally from each edge of said panels near the free end thereof adapted to engage in the slots in said inner side wall flaps when said blank is folded on said perpendicular score lines and said inner side wall ilaps and said bottom wall panels are folded inwardly about said longitudinal score line, and a plurality of substantially semi-circular incisions in said first and second bottom panels adapted to form ventilating openings when said panels are flexed into curved form in forming the bottom of said tray.

No references cited. 

